Formula 1 becomes first motorsport competition to use Pirelli FSC-certified tyres

Pirelli have become the first company to produce a complete range of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) – certified tyres for motorsport, with all the tyres used in the F1 world championship this year set to be marked with the FSC logo, marking a significant moment in the manufacturer’s sustainability journey.

The FSC logo certifies that all the natural rubber within the tyre complies with stringent environmental and social criteria required by the FSC, the world-leading non-governmental organisation for sustainable forestry.

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This certification, announced on October 10 last year when Pirelli renewed its agreement as the global tyre partner of Formula 1 until at least 2027, will apply to all the tyres used on track, which started with pre-season testing in Bahrain from February 21-23. The FSC-certified tyres have been introduced following an intense development programme that began in 2022, which showed clear results in terms of both reliability and performance.

The first free practice sessions at the Bahrain Grand Prix today hosted the debut of these certified tyres at an official event. This marks a significant step, reflecting Pirelli’s commitment to delivering increasingly sustainable performance and solutions even within the special environment of motorsport, starting with its greatest technological and competitive expression, Formula 1.

Pirelli has been confirmed as one of the global leaders in the fight against climate change for the sixth consecutive year with a place in the 2023 Climate A list from the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), an international no-profit organisation that researches and promotes environmental information. Pirelli was also the first tyre manufacturer to be awarded a three-star rating on the FIA’s Environmental Accreditation Programme.

Together with the FIA and Formula 1, the Italian firm has underlined its position in the front line of research and development into new technology, both on the technical and sporting side, to support the work that has already been done in reducing CO2 emissions throughout the entire life cycle of a Formula 1 tyre.

FSC certification joins a number of initiatives already put in place for motorsport by Pirelli in recent years, which includes all tyres brought to the track during a Grand Prix weekend being transformed into secondary raw materials after use; the electrical energy used to make the tyres coming exclusively from 100 per cent renewable certified sources; and the use of ‘virtual’ design technology for all tyres, which not only reduces development time but also cuts down on materials used due to less physical prototypes being needed.

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Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli Executive Vice President Motorsport, Sustainability and Future Mobility, commented: "The debut of our FSC-certified tyres in the world of motorsport represents a significant moment in Pirelli’s sustainability journey. In 2021 we were first to equip a road car with FSC-certified tyres, and now we are proud to be the first do so in motorsport as well.

“Formula 1 is an extraordinary open-air laboratory for us. It allows us not only to design and test new technology as well as improve research and development processes for roadgoing tyres, but also but also to unite maximum performance, typical of the demanding motorsport environment, with commitment towards an increasingly sustainable world.”

Sara Mariani, FIA Sustainability and D&I Director, added: “Pirelli’s implementation of FSC-certified tyres in the Formula 1 world championship is a strong statement of the company’s commitment to sustainability – not just to its own targets but also in its alignment with the goals of the FIA’s Environmental Strategy, which seeks to reduce motorsport impact and reinforce the sport as a catalyst for sustainable innovation and technology.

“Those ambitions were fundamental to the Formula 1 tyre supply tender launched last year by the FIA for 2025 and beyond and following its successful bid Pirelli has admirably already begun to innovate in pursuit of even greater sustainability with the introduction of FSC-certified tyres in 2024.”

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Ellen Jones, Formula 1 Head of ESG, also said: “Formula 1 is proud to collaborate with Pirelli on sustainability topics at every level, as the introduction of FSC-certified tyres shows. This is an important and positive step forward, as well as another example of how our partners are demonstrating their commitment to sustainable practices as we continue our mission towards Net Zero by 2030. We can’t wait to see the new FSC-certified tyres in action this weekend in Bahrain and then throughout the rest of the season.”

And Fabian Farkas, Forest Stewardship Council International Commercial Director, commented: “The FSC logo and certification are the reference standard for sustainable forest management. The automotive industry needs to react to alleviate the pressure that natural rubber production places on forest ecosystems and communities.

"We applaud Pirelli’s leadership in confronting the complex environmental and socio-economic challenges within the natural rubber value chain. This initiative shows that performance and sustainability can co-exist side by side, and the FSC is ready to support companies at a global level to follow this example.”